The first major tournament of the Murat Yakin era gets underway for Switzerland on Thursday, as they take on five-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon at the Al Janoub Stadium.

After two World Cups and two European Championships, the Rossocrociati will be without Vladmir Petkovic on the world stage for the first time in eight years, following his departure after a run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

Having eliminated France after a historic penalty shoot-out victory, the Swiss equalled their deepest ever run into a major international tournament and will be hoping to cause a similar stir in Qatar, in a tough-looking group containing Cameroon, Serbia and Brazil.

Facing the lowest-seeded side first, Yakin will see Thursday's opener as a must-win to get three points on the board while one of the other sides stumble.

In goal, Borussia Monchengladbach's Yann Sommer should start despite an ankle problem, after he played his first game in four weeks in an international friendly against Ghana last week. The shot-stopper was in magnificent form before his injury, making an incredible 19 saves against Bayern Munich back in August.

Manchester City's Manuel Akanji should partner Nico Elvedi in defence, in what seems to be Yakin's preferred partnership, while veteran Ricardo Rodriguez and Mainz 05's Silvan Widmer will start either side of the four-man back line.

In the middle, Remo Freuler should join in-form Granit Xhaka in the double pivot, while Xherdan Shaqiri will add to his 109 caps in attack.

At the top of the team, the talented Breel Embolo will be hoping to be the star of the show, as the 25-year-old travels to his second major international tournament with his country. With seven goals and two assists for Monaco this season, the powerful striker will be confident of adding to his 11 international goals in Qatar.

Switzerland possible starting lineup:Sommer; Rodriguez, Akanji, Elvedi, Widmer; Xhaka, Freuler; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo

> Click here to see how Cameroon could line up for this contest

Written by
Thom Harris